Pakistan to seek UN help in hijacked crewmen release
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Friday said it may seek the help of the UN for safe release of the Pakistani crew on board a hijacked Panama-flagged cargo vessel.
Somali pirates hijacked the MV Suez ship off the Gulf of Aden early this month with 23 crew members from Egypt, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.
The ministry of foreign affairs is exploring avenues for seeking UN assistance for the release of Pakistani nationals, an official spokesman was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
UK confirms Afghan killing of prisoner at Musa Qala base
By IRNA,
London : The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that a prisoner was “executed” by an Afghan soldier at a small British-control base in Helmand province.
Palestinian official urges Israel to open commercial crossing with Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Palestinian official said Saturday that the flow of goods into Gaza will remain weak unless Israel opens a key commercial crossing point into the besieged territory.
"The promises to increase the amount and sorts of products that Israel sends to Gaza can not be met unless al-Muntar (Karni) crossing is opened," said independent lawmaker Jamal al-Khodary, who leads a campaign against the sanctions that Israel imposed on Gaza last year.
Save me, Musharraf urges Saudi Arabia
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Disappointed by his American friends, President Pervez Musharraf, who faces impeachment by the ruling coalition, has sent an "SOS message" to the Saudi authorities, a source said Monday.
"The message was sent through a senior Saudi diplomat based in Islamabad," the source told IANS, adding the president has received a response that is "not very positive".
The source said the Saudi authorities, however, are sending a senior government official to gain a first hand view of the situation arising out of the impeachment move.
Eight civilians among 33 killed in Afghanistan air strike
By KUNA,
Kabul : Eight Afghan civilians were among the 33 people killed in a coalition forces' air strike in southern Afghanistan, the military said on Monday.
A statement from the coalition forces' Bagram base said the civilians were taken hostage by the militants at a compound where they (militants) retreated after exchange of fire with the soldiers.
Lebanese president’s upcoming visit to Syria carries tough mission
By Suzan Haidamous, Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese President Michel Suleiman is faced with a tough mission during his upcoming two-day official visit to Syria, local analysts said.
Among other thorny issues, the establishment of diplomatic ties and the opening of embassies will top the agenda of the meeting between Suleiman and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.
Taliban own up air force bus bombing in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The Taliban insurgents in Pakistan claimed responsibility for the bomb blast targeting an air force bus that killed over a dozen of people in northwestern city of Peshawar Tuesday.
Maulvi Omer, spokesman for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistan Alban Movement, said the blast was the response to the military operation in northwestern region, the Geo TV reported.
The TTP spokesman also threatened to launch more attacks against the army if the military operation in the region was not stopped.
Draft charge sheet finalized: Pakistani Minister Sherry Rehman
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman Friday said the special committee has finalized the draft charge-sheet against President and presented the document to Minister for Law and Justice.
Talking to journalists after a meeting of the special committee tasked to prepare a draft charge-sheet to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, she said the charge-sheet is a technical document and Law Minister will look into so that it could be presented to the coalition leadership.
Up to six people killed in Baghdad car bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll from a car bomb explosion targeting Shiite pilgrims in northeastern Baghdad on Saturday rose to six, with ten others injured, an Interior Ministry source said.
"Our latest reports said that six people were killed and ten others wounded by the car bomb blast in the Shaab neighborhood," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
20 killed in bomb blast in Pakistan hospital
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 20 people were killed Tuesday when a bomb exploded in a hospital in Pakistan's northwest city of Dera Ismail Khan, an official said.
The bomb exploded in the emergency ward of the hospital, said Mohsin Shah, the head of the local administration.
A crowd had gathered in the ward because of an earlier murder. The body of a state-run grocery store employee was brought to the hospital after he was shot dead by unknown gunmen in the city.
Among the injured were also four policemen who were investigating the murder.
Gunmen shoot dead local politician, four other in northwest Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Unidentified gunmen shot dead a local leader of the ruling party and three of his colleagues with him in Pakistan's northwest, police said Thursday.
Mouhammad Amin, a leader of the ruling nationalist party in North West Frontier Province, and his three friends were shot dead late last night in the restive Swat valley.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack but suspected militants have in the past targeted politicians belonging to ruling parties.
Police said that armed men ambushed their car at Deolai area, killing them at the scene.
Iran to develop independent missile headquarters: commander
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran is planning to establish an independent headquarters of missiles, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported Wednesday, quoting a top military commander.
The agency quoted Brigadier General Mohammad-Ali Jafari, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as saying that forming of an independent commandership of missiles aimed at strengthening the structure of the missile section.
"We should not allow the basic spirit of success and victory to be diminished in Revolution Guards", Jafari said.
Bahrain banking sector posts strong growth in first half of 2008
Dubai, Aug 28 (IANS) Bahrain's banking sector continued to show dynamic and confident growth in the first half of 2008, according to that Gulf nation's leading economic authority.
In a statement issued in Manama, Bahrain's Economic Development Board (EDB) stated that during the period, the banking sector posted very strong financial results with a number of new banks being granted licences by the country's financial services regulator, the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).
German army admits civilian shootings in Afghanistan
By IRNA,
Berlin : German soldiers rained gunfire on a carload of innocent civilians in the northern Afghan city of Kunduz late Thursday evening, killing a woman and two children, the German army announced on its website on Friday.
"Based on what we know now, evidence has been obtained at the scene suggesting that the shots fired at the vehicle came from German guns," the army was quoted saying.
"Whether shots were fired at the vehicle from the other side has yet to be conclusively clarified," the military added.
NATO artillery kills three children in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : At least three children were killed and seven wounded Monday when artillery fire by NATO-led security forces accidentally hit a civilian compound in Afghanistan's eastern province of Paktika, officials said.
The incident occurred when the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) called for return fire after insurgents attacked one of its convoy in Gayan district of the province, the ISAF said in a statement.
The artillery shell “accidentally” landed close to a civilian compound, killing at least three children and wounding seven, it said.
Pakistani neuroscientist Dr. Aafia to plead not guilty to murder charges in US court...
By APP,
New York : Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist, would plead not guilty at her arraignment in a federal court Thursday on an indictment alleging attempted murder and assault of U.S. agents during a interrogation session in Afghanistan in July, her lawyer said Tuesday.
The indictment of Dr. Siddiqui, 36, who is being held without bail at a high security federal detention center in Brooklyn, was announced on Tuesday afternoon. It contains no charges of terrorism.
Pakistan PM survives assassination attempt
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Wednesday escaped an assassination attempt after unknown gunmen opened fire on his convoy just outside Islamabad, officials said.
"The prime minister has safely reached his office in Islamabad," Information Minister Sherry Rehman said.
Gilani's motorcade was returning from the airport in the neighbouring garrison town of Rawalpindi when a volley hit his armoured Mercedes limousine and some other escort vehicles, a security official said.
Six killed, 32 injured in suicide car bombing in northern Iraq
By Xinhua,
Mosul, Iraq : At least six people were killed and up to 32 others injured in a suicide car bomb attack at a popular marketplace in a town in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh on Saturday, a local police source said.
A suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden car into a market in the town of Tal Afar, 80 km west of the provincial capital of Mosul, and blew it up, killing six people and wounding 32 others, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Qur’an translations in 107 languages on show
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Translations of the holy Quran in 107 living world languages are on display at the Qur'an translation section of the ongoing 16th Tehran International Qur'an Exhibition.
Announcing this, director of the section, Naqdi said that those interested can read the Qur'an in any language they like.
Stating that efforts are underway to promote translation of the holy book in various languages, he further said that in addition to the biography of translators, their photos and ways of life are also featured in the section.
UAE Urges UN To Tackle Obstacles Hindering War Against Terrorism
By Bernama,
New York : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has urged the United Nations (UN) to boost joint efforts, so as to tackle strongly the obstacles hindering the total eradication of terror.
The country also called for systematic, objective, balanced and transparent review of the definition of terrorism to facilitate international consensus on the definition of the phenomenon, Emirates news agency (WAM) quoted Acting Charge d'Affairs at the UAE Mission at the UN Headquarters Anwar Othman Barout Saleem Al-Barout as saying on Sunday.
DPRK to boost relations with Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Pyongyang : The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with Pakistan, the official KCNA news agency quoted a top DPRK legislator as saying Tuesday.
Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a congratulatory message to Asif Ali Zardari, who was elected Pakistani president on Saturday.
The two countries maintained a traditional relationship and have cooperated in various fields.
Yemen deploys 1000 soldiers to fight piracy
By NNN-QNA,
Sana'a : Yemeni Coast Guard Authority has deployed about 1000 soldiers and 16 military boats to fight piracy launched by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab in Yemen.
Yemeni Coastguard Authority has intensified its security patrols throughout the twenty-four hours to reinforce the protection of ships and reduce piracy operations, a source in Coastguard Authority said.
Karzai supports new US strategy in war on terror
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday he supported a new US strategy in the war against terror, which includes military operations inside Pakistan, and called for more international aid and training for his country's security forces.
"The new strategy is something that me and my colleagues in the Afghan government have talked about three and a half years ago," Karzai said at a press conference marking the seventh anniversary of the Sep 11, 2001, attacks for which the Al Qaeda terror network claimed responsibility.
With two begums free, Dhaka in poll mode
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's military-backed interim government has mounted efforts to bring together the two battling begums - former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina who have been provisionally freed from detention - to prepare for the December parliamentary polls.
"We will bring the two leaders across the table to create an atmosphere of trust and a new mode in politics," Commerce and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters after Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson, was Thursday released on bail after more than a year's imprisonment.
GCC Sec. Gen. heads to N.Y. for UN”s General Assembly meeting next week
By KUNA,
Riyadh : The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Abdulrahman Al-Attiya will head to New York next week to participate in the 63rd United Nations General Assembly meeting.
A statement from the GCC Secretariat said Tuesday that Al-Attiya will meet on the sideline of the meeting with heads of state and officials participating in the meeting and will discuss ways of boosting bilateral cooperation between their countries and the GCC.
Al-Attiya will meet as well with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, the statement added.
Russia opposes new UN sanctions on Iran
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia is opposed to any new UN measures against Iran over its disputed nuclear programme for now, the foreign ministry said Saturday.
The statement came after six world powers met Friday to discuss a fourth round of UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic suspected of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
The meeting in Washington brought no agreement.
Tehran insists it pursues nuclear research to generate electricity.
"We spoke out against extra measures by the UN Security Council at the current stage," the ministry said.
Israeli PM Olmert hands in formal resignation
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert handed in Sunday evening his resignation to President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, after serving in the office for 33 months.
Earlier in the day, the premier told his cabinet he was planning on handing in his mandate, following the election last week of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni as the new leader of his ruling Kadima Party.
"This is not an easy decision and not a simple one," Olmert said to his ministers, adding that "I think I am acting in a suitable, statesmanlike and responsible manner, as I promised the Israeli public."
Pakistan: govt for crackdown against hoax callers
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The Government has directed the federal and provincial administrations and law enforcement agencies to double their efforts against the hoax callers and take strict action against them.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) have been asked to launch a crackdown against the hoax calls and callers in collaboration with other intelligence agencies to avoid this practice.
The operation would initially be launched in all major cities, including the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Afghanistan: influx of Pakistani refugees could spark crisis – ministry official
By NNN-IRIN,
Kabul : Any increase in the flow of refugees from northwestern Pakistan into eastern parts of Afghanistan could lead to a humanitarian crisis unless international aid organisations deliver urgent assistance, a senior official at Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Returnees Affairs (MoRRA) has said.
"We are deeply concerned about insecurity in the Tribal Areas [of Pakistan] and the influx of Pakistani refugees into Afghanistan," Abdul Qader Ahadi, deputy minister in the MoRRA, told IRIN in Kabul.
More than 250,000 Afghan refugees repatriated this year: UN
By Xinhua,
Kabul : More than a quarter million Afghan refugees, mostly from Pakistan, have returned to their country so far this year with the support of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), a statement of the body released here Tuesday said.
"Since January this year, UNHCR has assisted a total of 251,880 registered Afghans to repatriate from the neighbouring Pakistan and Iran," the statement said.
It noted that 248,951 refugees have returned from Pakistan and another 2,929, from Iran.
The UNHCR would provide a cash of $100 to each person returning to Afghanistan.
Malaysian government wants to ban Hindraf
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian government wants to ban the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) that has on many occasions caused unrest, says a top home ministry official.
As Hindraf was not a registered organisation, the ministry's legal unit would look into the technicalities of disbanding the group, home ministry secretary general Abdul Aziz Mohammed Yusof told The New Straits Times Tuesday.
Over 40 killed or missing in floods in Yemen
By NNN-KUNA,
Sanaa : Forty-one people were killed or missing in Yemeni governorate of Hadhramout as a result of floods caused by heavy rain fall which also damaged houses and infrastructure facilities in different parts of the country.
"Forty-one are the initial estimates of dead or missing people in Hadhramout, while there are five deaths in Al-Muhra governorate, and two killed by thunder in Muqbana area in Ta'ez governorate," state-run news agency (Saba) said.
US asks Syria to control its border
By NNN-KUNA,
Washington : The United States has called on Syria to control more its border days after US forces in Iraq launched a strike on a village inside the Syrian territories.
"We would like to see happen is for them to better screen individuals coming into Damascus Airport, for them to better patrol their borders," said State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Wood.
Syria has said four US helicopters attacked the al-Sukkariya farm in the al-Boukamal area in eastern Syria, killing eight civilians, and that US soldiers stormed a building there.
Palestinian militants continue rocket attacks on Israel
By RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv/Gaza : Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have fired at least three rockets at southern Israel on the third day of renewed hostilities that threaten a fragile five-month truce, the Israeli military said Friday.
The rockets exploded in deserted areas, without inflicting casualties or damage. Islamic Jihad, Gaza's second-largest militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pakistan: no plan to censor private TV, FM channels, says Minister Sherry
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman told the National Assembly on Wednesday that PPP government has no plans to censor private television and FM channels programmes.
Replying to a question by Surriya Asghar, MNA during Question Hour she said that the PPP believes in freedom of expression and it abolished black laws of the former dictatorial regime.
Poll: Most Britons want troops to come home from Afghanistan
By SPA,
London : More than two-thirds of Britons want their country's troops to withdraw from Afghanistan within a year, an ICM poll published by the BBC Thursday has found, according to dpa.
Of 1,013 people polled, 68 per cent said troops should come home within 12 months. The proportion of women advocating a withdrawal was 75 per cent, while 59 per cent of the men asked wanted the troops to return.
Britain currently has 8,000 troops in southern Afghanistan, and is likely to come under pressure to stock-up the contingent when the new US adminstration takes over in January.
Karzai in touch with senior Taliban leaders: Afghan official
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in touch with the senior leadership of former ruling Taliban that went underground after the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops landed in the war torn country after 9/11, says a senior Afghan official.
"Yes, Hamid Karzai is in touch with them (Taliban) for some time and wants to establish long term peace in Afghanistan," the senior Afghan official visiting Pakistan told IANS, while requesting anonymity.
Pakistani President Zardari asks India to ‘resist striking out at his government’
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Warning that militants have the power to precipitate a war in the region, President Asif Ali Zardari has asked India to "resist striking out at his government" should investigations show that "Pakistani militant groups" were responsible for the attacks in Mumbai.
The Pakistani President said his country should not be punished for the three-day terrorist rampage in Mumbai that killed around 200 people including foreigners.
Clash leaves 10 militants killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)and the U.S.-led Coalition forces during two separate operations Tuesday killed 10 insurgents in war-torn Afghanistan, said Coalition statements released here on Wednesday.
ANSF and Coalition forces were conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol when they were engaged by militants from multiple fighting positions using small-arms, indirect and rocket fire in Nad Ali district of southern Afghan province of Helmand, the statement said.
Water to be pumps in Mina in preparation for the 8th of Thu Al-Hijjah
By SPA,
Makkah : The General Directorate of water in the Makkah Region will begin pumping water through networks in Mina in preparation for the day of Tarwiyah (watering), the Eighth of Zil-Hijja.
On the Tarwiyah day the pilgrims spend in Mina day and night hours prior to moving to Arafat in the morning of the next day (Sunday).
This was announced by general supervisor of the General Directorate of water in the Makkah Al-Ahmad Baghdadi.
Turkey hosts trilateral summit meeting to help bringing Afghnistan,Pakistan closer
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Turkey on Friday hosted a trilateral summit meeting with Afghanistan and Pakistan in a bid to bring the two troubled neighboring countries closer.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul chaired the meeting with his counterparts, Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan, in the Turkish largest city of Istanbul, which was also attended by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to the semi-official Anatolia news agency.
NATO troops fire on bus in Afghanistan, killing 4
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : NATO forces in Afghanistan have killed four passengers on a bus that failed to stop when driving toward their patrol, the ISAF press service said.
The incident occurred on Friday morning 40 km south of Kabul on the road to Kandahar. The International Security and Assistance Force said the bus driver did not heed signals to slow down, warning gestures or shots in the air, so the soldiers were forced to fire on the vehicle.
Israel’s expulsion of human rights envoy is dangerous: UN
By DPA,
New York : Israel's decision to expel a US expert on human rights was a "dangerous" move that contravened mandates given to rights advocates working for the UN, president of the UN General Assembly said Monday.
Richard Falk was detained at Jerusalem's airport Sunday and then deported back to the US. Falk's mandate given by the 192-nation UN assembly is to assess the situation in Palestinian-occupied territories.
The Israeli foreign ministry Monday said Falk was "unwelcome in Israel".
Poll: Palestinians, Israelis seek more active U.S. role in moderating conflict
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Most Palestinians and half of Israelis hope the United States to play a more active role in moderating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a latest poll published Tuesday.
The poll was conducted by the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah.
Earthquake hits Iran
By SPA,
Tehran : An earthquake measuring 4.2 on Richter scale shook the vicinity of Jam city in Bushehr province, southern Iran, Sunday night, Iran's news agency "IRNA" reported.
The Geophysics Institute of Tehran University registered the quake.
The epicenter of the tremor has been an area located 52.26 degrees in longitude and 28.04 degrees in latitude.
There are no reports of any casualty or damage to the property caused by the tremor.
Iran is often shaken by quakes of varying magnitudes as it sits on some of the world's most active seismic fault lines.
Dhaka steps up vigilance along border with India as bombs, explosives seized
By NNN-APP,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Monday put all border outposts of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on high alert with neighbouring India as police retrieved a powerful bomb on a timer and two hand bombs in southwestern bordering district of Jessore on Monday.
Explosive experts were called in immediately to defuse them, police guarding the spot said.
Abbas calls for Security Council meeting on Gaza situation
By DPA,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Saturday for the UN Security Council to hold an urgent meeting to stop the Israeli air and ground offensives on the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in a statement that Abbas called on the Security Council to convene immediately "to halt and stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip."
"President Abbas intensified his contacts with Arab and foreign countries to stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip without any preconditions," Erekat said.
New rockets fired from Lebanon at Israel
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : A second barrage of rockets were launched from Lebanon on northern Israel, Israeli media reported on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, four Israelis were wounded by rockets launched from southern Lebanon on northern Israeli towns of Naharia and Galeli, pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV reported.
Pakistani media mourns Muhammad Najeeb
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani media Friday paid homage to Muhammad Najeeb, the IANS Islamabad correspondent who died Thursday after a heart attack. One report called him a "much-valued friend of the media community".
Najeeb, 41, was Thursday afternoon rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) where, according to a report in The News Friday, "he allegedly expired for want of emergency treatment".
His wife and three sons - Saad, 12, Hassan, 10, and Sheheryar, 5 - survive Najeeb. He was the youngest of three brothers and three sisters.
Iraq’s provincial elections: A test of fragile calm
By DPA,
Baghdad : As voters prepare to go to the polls Jan 31, Iraq stands balanced on a knife-edge as the streets are safer now than they have been at any time since the country slid into civil war in 2005.
When Iraqis vote in 14 of the country's 18 provinces to choose the provincial councils that will govern them, the country could make a great step forward in drawing a line under the recent years of bloodshed. Or, many Iraqis say, if the polls are viewed as unfair, the country could tip back into carnage and chaos.
Special envoy has no mandate to deal with Kashmir: US
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The United States has made it clear that its newly appointed special envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has no mandate to deal with Kashmir and his sole job is to help bring stability to Afghanistan.
"His mandate is to go out and try to help bring stability to Afghanistan, working closely with Pakistan to try to deal with the situation in the FATA region," Pakistan tribal belt along their porous border that has become a terrorist safe haven, State Department acting spokesman Robert Wood said Tuesday.
Bangladesh’s new president to be elected on Feb. 16
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The newly elected members of parliament will elect Bangladesh's new president Feb 16, the election commission of the country announced Thursday.
Md. Humayun Kabir, Secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC), issued a notification Thursday, announcing the schedule of the presidential election, BEC spokesman S.M. Asaduzzaman said.
As per the schedule, Feb 8 is the last date for filing nomination and Feb 11 is the last date of withdrawal of nomination, the official said.
Israeli troops killed Gaza children carrying white flag, witnesses
Gaza City, Feb 2, IRNA -- International organizations, citing videos and witnesses say Israel has committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.
Human Rights Watch and other groups allege that Israel's tactics for achieving a military advantage in Gaza led to disproportionate death and suffering of a civilian population that was denied medical care, refuge and electricity, especially in the urban warfare in and around Gaza City.
"Gaza became a kind of free fire zone for the Israelis," said Fred Abrahams, senior emergencies researcher for Human Rights Watch.
U.S. soldier dies in Iraq
By Xinhua,
BAGHDAD : A U.S. soldier has died as a result of a non-combat related incident in Iraq, the U.S. military said on Monday.
A military statement said a soldier assigned to Multi National Division - Baghdad (MND-Baghdad) was killed on Sunday without saying how or where exactly the incident occurred.
MND-Baghdad is also known as Task Force Baghdad, whose major area of responsibility is the city of Baghdad.
The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, the statement said, adding that the incident is under investigation.
Pakistan serious about Mumbai probe: Minister
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan said Thursday it was "serious" about prosecuting the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks and that the actions taken so far would prove its "sincerity".
"We are serious (about the probe) and all the action taken so far will prove our sincerity," Interior Minister Rehman Malik said at a press conference here.
"We want to bring to justice the culprits and we thus need evidence. This evidence should stand the test of the court. The evidence should speak for itself," Malik maintained.
US weapons given to Afghan army missing
By Xinhua,
Washington : A large quantity of weapons given to the Afghan army by the US have been missing, officials said.
The US congressional auditors said Thursday in a report that nearly 87,000 pieces of weapons, including rifles, pistols, machine guns, grenade launchers, shotguns and mortars were missing.
The weapons are among about 240,000 small arms and other items, including 2,410 highly prized night vision devices that were given to the Afghan security forces by the US military.
Obama assures Karzai of Afghan commitment in first phone talk
By DPA,
Kabul : US President Barack Obama assured his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai, of the US commitment to the fight against terrorism in the region during their first telephone talk since Obama's inauguration, the Afghan president's office said Wednesday.
The two presidents Tuesday night talked about a review of US policy in the fight against insurgency in Afghanistan and Pakistan, preparations for the Afghan presidential election and enhancing Afghan security forces, Karzai's office said in a statement.
At least 100 missing as trawler capsizes in Bangladesh
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : At least 100 people were missing Thursday morning when a trawler capsized on a river in Bangladesh's southern Barisal district, the police said.
The accident took place some 169 km from the Bangladesh capital.
"We've come to know that over 100 passengers are missing. A body of a woman was pulled out from the water," district police chief Tawfiq Mahbub Chowdhury said.
Police officer Sekandar Ali said the boat capsized at around 6.50 a.m.
Pakistan rejects international concerns over Islamic laws
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Thursday rejected international concerns over the introduction of an Islamic judicial system in parts of its North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) as "speculative".
"There are some reactions including in NATO. These are mostly speculative," Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at his weekly press briefing, when his attention was drawn to criticism from some Western nations.
Islamic courts will be set up in the Malakand division under an agreement between the NWFP government and the outlawed Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e- Muhammadi group.
Turkey denies US request to establish sea base
ANKARA, Feb 20 (KUNA) -- Turkey Friday denied the US asked Ankara to establish a sea base after Kyrgyzstan announced closure of the US air base in the Central Asian Republic.
"We have not received any request in this regard up until now," Turkish army spokesman General Metin Gurak told a weekly press briefing. He, however, did not deny press reports that the US might ask for the sea base.
Gurak declined to comment if the US asked Turkey to establish a sea base near the Black Sea city of Trabzon to replace the Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan.
Khaleda-led opposition returns to Bangladesh parliament
By IANS,
Dhaka : The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Monday joined the ninth parliament, ending its row of 17 working days with the speaker over seating arrangements in the house.
The party led by two-term former prime minister Khaleda Zia said it was joining the house following an assurance after prolonged negotiations from Speaker Abdul Hamid of "respectable seating arrangements in the House", Star Online reported.
Hamas calls on Gaza donors to recognise its legitimacy
By DPA,
Gaza : The Islamic Hamas movement Monday called on the international community to recognise its legitimacy as the ruler of Gaza Strip.
Speaking as international donors began a conference to discuss the reconstruction of the salient of Israel's recent offensive, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum urged the participants to "deal with the legitimacy (of Hamas) if they were interested in the Palestinian people's interest".
"Bypassing the Palestinian legitimacy that exists in Gaza is like walking to the wrong address ... to hinder the reconstruction," he said.
Control, arrest and punish terrorists, Gordon Brown tells Pakistan
By IANS,
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for terrorists in Pakistan "to be brought under control, arrested and brought to trial".
Speaking after Tuesday's terrorist attack wounding six Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Brown also revealed that the "vast majority" of Al Qaeda militants are now in Pakistan, not Afghanistan.
Israeli, Palestinian negotiators to begin core-issue talks
By DPA
Jerusalem : Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are meeting here Monday for their first discussion on the so-called core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The talks mark the first negotiations in seven years on such issues as the future of Jerusalem, the fate of Palestinian refugees and their descendents, security issues, and the borders of the future Palestinian state.
The talks will be continuous and are expected to take place every week or so.
Abbas condemns Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday lashed out at an Israeli military operation in Gaza City and termed it as "a massacre and mass execution."
"We can't remain silent before the crimes of killing our Palestinian people. Such crimes don't bring any peace," Abbas told reporters in Ramallah.
During an Israeli ground operation in eastern Gaza City, which started early Tuesday morning and lasted till noon, at least 16 people were killed and more than 45 others wounded.
Israeli army kills senior Jihad commander in W Bank
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli army on Wednesday assassinated a senior Islamic Jihad commander near the West Bank city of Jenin and arrested four of his colleagues, security sources and witnesses said.
According to residents, more than 60 Israeli army vehicles, backed by bulldozers, stormed Qabatia town, to the south of Jenin, and surrounded a house where Walid al-Abidi, 40, and his colleagues were holed up.
Musharraf vows to defeat elements conspiring to destabilise Pakistan
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf blamed internal and external elements for conspiring to destabilise the country but said the nation has the resilience to defeat all such elements.
“We can surmount all difficulties, (but) we need to have confidence in ourselves and faith in our abilities and we have to defeat such elements,” President Musharraf said Thursday at PTV’s weekly interactive programme ‘Aiwan-e-Sadr sey’ on the “challenges confronting Pakistan and the way forward.”
Two Palestinian dies, three injured in Israeli air raid
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed on Friday while three others were injured when Israeli aircraft executed a raid on Jabaliah town in the north of Gaza Strip.
The Israeli planes fired a couple of missiles at a group of Palestinians who were walking on one of Jabaliah streets, killing two of the pedestrians and injuring three others, eyewitnesses said.
According to Palestinian medical sources, the victims were identified as Ismail and Mahmoud Al-Barsh, in their 20s. The injured were admitted to Al-Shifa'a Hospital for medical care.
Israel hints it will not allow conditions turn serious in Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Israel is following up on living conditions in the besieged Gaza Strip and will avert occurrence of a humantarian crisis in the region, Israel Radio said on Monday.
The radio, quoting an unnamed official source, said Israel rules out a humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip and will take action to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.
Shortage of fuel has resulted in stopping a main power station in the strip. Most Gazans spent the night with power due to the fuel shortage.
Lebanon”s dilemma to take toll on Arab summit — Moussa
By KUNA
Cairo : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa expressed belief that the continuation of the political crisis in Lebanon would leave a negative impact on the coming Arab summit due in Damascus in March.
In statements to the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram, Moussa termed the Lebanese crisis as "too sophisticated" saying there were various influential power, political rivalries, tension and "absolute" lack of confidence.
Israel decides to slightly ease siege on Gaza
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided on Monday evening to slightly ease the siege on Gaza and to allow medical supplies and a minimal amount of diesel fuel for the power plant in Gaza, local media reported.
Barak made the decision following a security assessment made on Monday evening, the English daily Jerusalem Post reported on its website.
Major UN powers discuss sanctions against Iran
New York, Jan 25 (DPA) The five UN Security Council permanent members met for preliminary discussions of a draft resolution to impose further sanctions on Iran in the protracted dispute over its nuclear programme, diplomats said.
Envoys from the US, Russia, Britain, France and China met at the UN headquarters Thursday just two days after their foreign ministers and the German foreign minister met in Berlin to devise new pressure on Tehran to abandon its nuclear activities.
Red Cross says at least 4 killed in Beirut explosion
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Red Cross Committee announced that at least four people were killed and 20 others injured in a powerful explosion in a Christian neighborhood in Beirut on Friday, the official National News Agency reported.
The blast, which occurred at around 10 a.m. (0800 GMT), targeted a military vehicle in the Chevrolet neighborhood northeast of Beirut.
U.S. says deal with Iraq to provide foundation for troops to operate
By Xinhua
Washington : The United States said Friday that the planned agreement of future U.S. relations with Iraq will be able to provide a legal foundation for U.S. troops to operate in the country.
"The main goal here is simply to provide a legal foundation for our troops to be able to operate in Iraq once the current U.N. mandate expires," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.
First Gulf Bank earns record profit of $547 mn
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The First Gulf Bank (FGB), one of the leading financial institutions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced a record profit of 2 billion dirham ($547 million) for 2007, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
According to the FGB board of directors, the figure was up by 31 percent from last year's profit.
The bank's consistent growth coupled with healthy profitability, efficiency, and liquidity and capital adequacy ratios with return on average equity at 21 percent demonstrates strong financial performance, the bank said.
Egypt closes border with Gaza
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egypt closed the last breach of the border fence along the Egyptian-Gaza border on Sunday morning amid efforts exerted to mediate among parties concerned on the administration of Rafah crossing.
About 300 Egyptian military troops were deployed near Rafah crossing along the Egyptian border with Gaza to stop the flow of Palestinians into the Egyptian side, a security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Gaza militants fire makeshift rockets into Israel
By Xinhua
Gaza : Gaza-based Palestinian militants shelled southern Israel communities with makeshift missiles on Monday following a brief calmness, militant groups said.
The Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement said in a press release that its militants fired two home-made rockets into southern Israeli town Sderot. "The operation was in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and West Bank," said the statement.
In the West Bank city of Jenin, Israeli forces killed two Jihad gunmen and wounded a third earlier in the morning.
U.S. for quick polls, emergency lifting in Bangladesh
By Xinhua
Dhaka : The United States Monday said it would be better for Bangladesh to withdraw the state of emergency as soon as possible and hold an election participated by all.
The visiting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs of U.S. State Department Donald Camp said this Monday.
He also said civil rights must be protected and due legal process in trials, including the trials of the two former prime ministers, should be followed, leading newspaper The Daily Star reported Tuesday.
Israel to respond militarily to Dimona attack – FM
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Foreign Ministry said Monday evening Israel would have to launch military operations against the Palestinians in response to the deadly attack that took place earlier today at a shopping center in the southern town of Dimona.
Amira Uron, the ministry spokesperson, condemned the attack as "regrettable terrorist act," according to reports reaching here from Israel.
"The terrorist attack, targeting Israeli civilians is nothing new to the terrorist leaders ruling Gaza Strip at present," she said.
Israeli incursion into Gaza leaves 2 Palestinians dead
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed and two others were injured Tuesday during an Israeli military incursion in Shaoka town near Rafah city, south Gaza Strip.
Medical sources said the two men, in their 20s, were members of the Izzidine Al-Qassam brigades, military wing of Hamas.
According to eyewitnesses here, Israeli soldiers, with tanks backup, executed an incursion at dawn, and the Israelis met some resistance.
3 Iraqis killed during raid north of Baghdad
By SPA
Baghdad : Three Iraqis were killed, including a woman, and at least one child was injured after American soldiers stormed a tiny one-room house north of Baghdad and opened fire, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Tuesday.
Iraqi police said a couple and their 19-year-old son were killed, and that their two young daughters were wounded in the U.S. raid around 11 p.m. Monday. One of the young girls died early Tuesday, and the other was evacuated to a U.S. military hospital, police was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Pakistan on important journey to complete democracy: minister
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Nisar A. Memon said the nation was on important journey to complete democracy and all stakeholders must play their active role in the upcoming general elections and making it a successful.
Taking to PTV Thursday, the Minister expressed satisfaction over the electioneering that was getting momentum day by day across the country.
Hamas warns Israel of heavy price if leaders harmed
By Xinhua
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement on Monday warned that Israel will pay heavy price if the Jewish state harms Hamas leaders in response to Qassam rocket attacks targeting southern Israel from the Hamas-ruled Gaza.
"The Israeli threats against senior leaders like Prime Minister Ismail Haneya are dangerous escalation that we strongly warn against," said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.
Israel will pay the price for any "stupid act it may commit," said Abu Zuhri, adding that if the crimes were carried out, Hamas' response "would be unprecedented."
Palestinian negotiator refuses statehood without Gaza, Jerusalem
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Monday the Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abbas won't accept a future statehood without the Hamas-run Gaza Strip or Jerusalem as its capital.
"The Palestinian statehood will not be created without the West Bank, Jerusalem as the capital, and the Gaza Strip," said Erekat.
British journalist feared missing in Iraq
By NNN-KUNA
London : The UK Foreign Office said Tuesday it was "urgently" looking into reports that a western journalist - said to be British - has been kidnapped in Iraq.
Reports from Iraq said a British employee of US network CBS and his interpreter had been seized by gunmen last Sunday. The pair were reportedly kidnapped near their hotel in Basra.
The British Foreign Office said it was investigating the report.
A spokeswoman said, "We are aware of reports of a western national missing in Basra and we are urgently looking into it."
The first flight of PIA leaves for Kuwait
By SPA
Islamabad : The first flight of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) left the newly built Sialkot international airport (SIA) for Kuwait, officials said.
It had 102 passengers on-board. The PIA would operate a weekly flight on Sialkot-Kuwait route.
The airline is considering expanding its network to other international destinations in near future, with a focus on initiating Haj and Umrah flights from Sialkot.
The cargo flights would also be started in the near future from this airport.
Death toll from cold, snow mounts to 926 in Afghanistan
KABUL, Feb 16 (KUNA) -- The number of Afghans killed by the chilly weather continued in the snow-covered Afghanistan has reached almost 1,000 since the beginning of the winter this year.
About a fortnight back, the Health Ministry had said that some 600 people and thousands of cattle have expired while hundreds more people living in remote areas of Afghanistan have been cut off from the big cities due to the excessive snowfall in the impoverished country.
Hamas invites France FM to visit in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : A spokesman for Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza invited France Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Sunday to visit in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Kouchner, who is visiting in Israel, had earlier said that France is willing to mediate between Israel and Hamas to release captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and stop firing rockets at Israel "if France is asked to."
British soldier killed in Afghanistan blast
By KUNA
London : A British soldier has been killed and a second injured in an attack in Afghanistan, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Monday.
The soldiers were on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan when they were caught in an explosion yesterday.
An MoD spokesman said "Yesterday evening the soldiers were taking part in a foot patrol near Kajaki, Helmand Province, when they were caught in an explosion".
Pakistani PM greets nation on ‘successful’ completion of elections
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro on Monday congratulated the Nation on the successful completion of 'free, fair and transparent' elections.
In a statement the Prime Minister said these were historic elections held under most challenging times and the people of Pakistan have proved to the world that they are a responsible Nation, determined to protect their sovereignty and solidarity.
UN says smugglers, ‘outside’ militants move to Gaza
By DPA
New York : UN officials said there is a "disconnect" between the Middle East peace process and realities on the ground, particularly in Gaza Strip, where smuggling continues and "outside militant groups" had moved into the territory.
UN special envoy for Middle East peace process Robert Serry and John Holmes, the UN undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, appeared before the UN Security Council Tuesday to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Khaleda Zia faces another corruption charge
By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia and 10 ministers in her government have been accused of receiving kickbacks while awarding a coalmine operation contract to a Chinese firm during their tenure in office.
This is the third graft case against the Bangladesh National Party chief, who ruled the country from 2001 to 2006 and is in jail since September last year.
Also sued is Amir (chief) Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Matiur Rahman Nizami, Bangladesh's largest Islamist party, who was the industry minister in the Zia government.
Two Israeli soldiers killed in wide-scale armed clashes with Palestinians
By KUNA
Gaza : An Israeli incursion into the eastern fringes of Gaza city and Jabaliya on Saturday resulted in the death of at least 15 Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers, medical sources and Israel Radio said.
The medical sources said Israeli warplanes fired missiles in the direction of a group of civilians on Al-Qarm Street east of Jabaliya inflicting a number of deaths and injuries.
More than 15 Palestinians were killed and 35 others were hospitalized as a result of Israeli attacks and Israeli-Palestinian clashes in the northern part of Gaza, they said.
Moussa, Syrian president discuss Lebanese crisis, Arab summit preparations
By KUNA
Damascus : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad discussed Saturday the Lebanese crisis, preparations for the 20th Arab Summit and proposals for its draft agenda.
The official statement by the presidential court gave no further details on the meeting, except that it was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Muallem.
Israeli ground troops pull out of northern Gaza
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pulled out the ground troops from the northern Gaza Strip early Monday morning, completing the first stage of the activity dubbed Operation Hot Winter.
An IDF spokeswoman told Xinhua that counter-terror operations were expected to continue.
Jerusalem : Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pulled out the ground troops from the northern Gaza Strip early Monday morning, completing the first stage of the activity dubbed Operation Hot Winter.
An IDF spokeswoman told Xinhua that counter-terror operations were expected to continue.
Russia urges Iran to fulfill new UN resolution
By Xinhua
Moscow : Russia urged Iran on Tuesday to comply with demands of the international nuclear energy watchdog and a new resolution of the United Nations Security Council.
"We expect the Iranian leadership to thoroughly analyze the statement of the six foreign ministers together with the contents of the adopted resolution, and will make a decision to comply with the demands of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the UN Security Council," the ministry said.
British Prime Minister phones Musharraf
By SPA
Islamabad : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has phoned President Pervez Musharraf Pakistan and said that Pakistan should return to the fold of Commonwealth and resume its role as an important member, according to an official statement.
Brown congratulated Musharraf on the successful holding of general elections in Pakistan.
He said he would be sending his Foreign Minister David Miliband to Pakistan soon to discuss matters of mutual interest and situation in the region.
IHC stays notification on PB-35 Khuzdar-III
By APP
Islamabad : A Division Bench of Islamabad High Court here Thursday restrained Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) not to issue official notification of returning candidate on PB-35 Khuzdar-III, till the disposal of case. The Division Bench comprising Justice Mohammad Munir Paracha and Justice Syed Qalbe Hassan heard the writ petition filed by Mian Atta-ur-Rehman Mengal, a PML-Q candidate, through Wasim Sajjad, senior advocate of Supreme Court.
Lebanese PM says willing to go to Damascus if “convenient”
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora has said that he is willing to visit Damascus and participate in the upcoming Arab summit "if all circumstances were convenient," local As-Safir daily reported Saturday.
"The visit, (however) does not mean any change in our convictions," Seniora was quoted as noting on Friday.
Iraqi President ends Turkey’s visit
By NNN-KUNA
Ankara : Iraqi President Jalal Talabani concluded a visit to Turkey Saturday by emphasizing importance of boosting bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields.
Talabani held talks earlier Saturday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and underlined Iraq's desire to bolster political and economic relations.
Talabani paid his visit a week after the Turkish military ended a ground incursion into northern Iraq to crack down on PKK rebels.
Four PKK rebels captured in SE Turkey
By Xinhua
Ankara : The Turkish security forces captured four rebels of the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in southeastern Turkey, a military statement said on Sunday.
The statement posted by the Turkish General Staff on its website said that the security forces captured the four PKK rebels in Ergani town of Diyarbakir on March 6.
Pakistani President summons National Assemblies to meet on March 17
By NNN-Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has summoned the National and Provincial Assemblies to meet on March 17, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported on Tuesday.
Musharraf has signed the summary sent by caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro to convene the first session of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies after general elections, said the report.
Pakistan's two major parties, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), signed a joint declaration on the formation of new government on Sunday.
11 suspected militants detained from Afghanistan’s Khost
By NNN-Xinhua
Kabul : Eleven suspected militants have been detained from eastern Afghan province of Khost during a Afghan and Coalition forces joint operation, according to a Coalition statement issued here early Friday morning.
Afghan National Security Force and the U.S.-led Coalition forces on March 12 searched compounds in Tanai district "targeting militants linked to foreign fighter, improvised explosive device and weapons facilitation operations," and detained 11 individuals, it said.
The statement said the detained individuals will be questioned.
French Defense Minister says NATO in control in Afghanistan
By SPA
Paris : The French Defense Minister says NATO forces have «overall control» of the military situation in Afghanistan.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Herve Morin said France is looking at ways of boosting its troop levels there. But he said no decision has been made, and an announcement won't come until next week's NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania.
UN envoy speaks out against ‘abhorrent’ attack on deminers in Afghanistan
By APP
United Nations : The UN envoy to Afghanistan on Monday voiced his outrage at the “abhorrent” attack on a group of deminers, which claimed five lives and injured seven others.
Two unknown assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on Sunday on a 12-person team working for the Afghan Technical Consultants, a partner of the UN Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan (UNMACA).
U.N. Chief: Annapolis Target for Two-State Solution Achievable
By SPA
United Nations : United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Tuesday said the “ambitious goal” of an independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel by the end of 2008 is achievable.
Israeli DM considers approving US plan to transfer weapons to W. Bank
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is considering approving a US plan to allow the transfer of weapons, protective gear, and night-vision goggles for Palestinian security forces in the West Bank, The Jerusalem Post reported on Wednesday.
Iraqi Vice President arrives in Damascus for Arab summit
By Xinhua
Damascus : Iraqi Vice President Adel AbdulMehdi arrived here on Friday to attend the forthcoming Arab summit due on Saturday and Sunday.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had previously planned to come for the summit, but he changed his schedule after deciding to enforce crackdown on Shiite gunmen as Iraqi troops battled militias in the cities of Basra and Kut. Iraq was strongly present in the Summit given the current regional circumstances, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters before Abdul Mehdi's arrival.
Explosion injures three, DPO narrowly escapes
By APP
Buner, Pakistan : Three sustained critical injuries while District Police Officer Abdul Ghafoor Afridi narrowly escaped when unknown militants detonated a roadside Improvised Explosive Device here at Buner Baba on Friday, police said.
The bomb went off minutes before vehicle of the DPO passed from the site of explosion. However, three persons travelling in another car sustained critical injuries and were rushed to hospital.
US carries air raids on Iraq on fifth anniversary of occupation
By IRNA
Baghdad : The US conducted air raids strikes on Iraq Friday as a clear sign of its refusal to go ahead with Iraqi reconstruction.
Political observers say that US should have speeded up reconstruction drive in Iraq and that military crackdown will not solve the Iraqi problem mainly emanated from shortages in Iraqi people's livelihood.
In Basra, the conflict has put the city into a state of virtual siege, with electricity and drinkable water cut off in most neighborhoods.
Kashmiris’ wishes paramount while resolving issue: Pakistan PM
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani said Saturday that his government wants the Kashmir issue to be resolved in accordance with UN resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The prime minister was announcing his government's priorities after the vote of confidence from the National Assembly or the lower house of parliament.
"I want to assure my sisters and brothers in Kashmir that their sacrifices will not be ignored and Pakistan will make every effort to resolve the issue in accordance with their wishes," Gillani said.
Palestinian killed by Israeli army fire near Gaza
By SPA
Gaza City, Gaza Strip : Palestinian medics say a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army fire as he approached Gaza's border fence with Israel.
The Israeli military says the man was armed and hurled a grenade at forces close to the fence. The man was killed late Friday and the body was retrieved by Palestinian medics Saturday, according to a report of the Associated Press.
Iran dismisses Pres Bush’s ‘unjustified’ anti-Iran claims
By IRNA
Tehran : Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Friday dismissed the US President George W. Bush's "unjustified" anti-Iran claims.
"Such claims represent baseless, repeated and boring stances and are an effort to offlay responsibilities of an occupying state," Hosseini said on Friday.
He said the US President's claims should be interpreted as evasion of ongoing Iraq realities as the US statesmen have never been ready to accept them and have been willing to cause more insecurity and instability and add up to pains and sufferings of the Iraqi people.
Chinese delegation call on PPP leaders
By APP
Islamabad : China and Pakistan agreed on mutual consensus over exchange of trade, youth and cultural delegations to strengthen the brotherly relationship between the two countries and formulation of strategy particularly to counter terrorism.
It was proposed in the meeting held between the Chinese delegate headed by Liu Hung Cai of Communist Party of China and leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) comprising Jhangir Badar, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Senator Raza Rabani, Nafeesa Shah and Ibn- Muhammad Rizvi here in People’s Secretariat.
Sri Lankan eye banl in Pakistan
By NNN-Govt Portal
Colombo : Sri Lankan eye specialists have announced that an eye bank will be set up in Sialkot, Pakistan to provide free eye treatment including transplanting of corneas.
A.P.S. Abeysuriya, a Sri Lankan eye specialist said at the launching of a free cornea transplanting camp at the Aleem Welfare Hospital on Wednesday (26) that the proposed eye bank would be functional by December 2008 and that Sri Lankans will be donating corneas directly to the facility.
Israeli government continuing West Bank construction
By SPA
Tel Aviv : A dovish Israeli group says construction in West Bank settlements has continued despite Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
'Peace Now' group says in a new report Monday that more than 500 buildings are under construction in settlements. The group says Israel's Defense Ministry has approved nearly 1,000
new housing units in the West Bank.
Mubarak meets Abbas on Palestinian-Israeli talks, regional developments
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks Wednesday morning with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the latest development in the Middle East, particularly the future of the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
At a press conference following the talks, Abbas said he briefed Mubarak on the outcome of the 20th Arab Summit ended Sunday in Damascus and his short visit in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
President: Iranians endear Latin American nations’ freedom seeking movements
By IRNA
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that Iranian people have always endeared Latin American nations' freedom movements against despotism and the hegemonic system.
In a message to Argentine soccer celebrity Diego Maradona, President Ahmadinejad thanked Legendary soccer player for supporting the Iranian nation and bestowing an autographed T-shirt on the Iranian nation as a sign of his affection for Iran.
Israel removes 50 West Bank barriers easing Palestinian travel
By RIA Novosti
Tel Aviv : Israel has notified the U.S. and the Palestinian National Authority that it has removed 50 roadblocks to ease the movement for Palestinians in the West Bank, the Haaretz newspaper reported Thursday.
The removal of the barriers was part of a package of measures agreed Sunday at a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Israeli defense minister, Ehud Barak, and Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad.
Oman’s sultan meets U.S. Defense Secretary on co-op
By Xinhua
Abu Dubai : Oman's Sultan Qabus bin Said met visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in the Omani capital Muscat on Saturday, news reaching here said.
During the meeting, the pair reviewed "aspects of existing cooperation between the two friendly countries in various fields," the official Oman News Agency (ONA) said, giving no further details about the meeting.
WHO declares Somalia polio-free
By IINA
Mogadishu : The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a major victory against polio in Somalia. Polio's eradication in the conflict-ridden country was as a result of the untiring efforts of some 10,000 volunteers and health workers across the Horn of Africa. “Against a backdrop of widespread conflict, large population movements and a dearth of functioning government infrastructure, transmission of poliovirus in the country has been successfully stopped,” according to a recent WHO statement.
Al-Assad meets Berri, renews Syria’s support for dialogue among Lebanese
By NNN-SANA
Damascus : President Bashar al-Assad has held discussions with Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri the results of the recently held Damascus Arab Summit, and the Lebanese issues in particular.
Al-Assad reiterated Syria's support for dialogue among the Lebanese and national consensus as the only means to resolve the Lebanese crisis.
He expressed Syria's readiness to present all possible assistance requested by the Lebanese to achieve security and stability in Lebanon.
Indonesian Internet companies block Web sites
By SPA
Jakarta, Indonesia : At least three Internet companies say they have blocked access to YouTube and MySpace because of an anti-Islam film by a Dutch lawmaker.
The move Tuesday was in response to an order by the Indonesian government.
IndosatM2, a popular Internet Service Provider, and two other companies said they had temporarily blocked YouTube, MySpace and three other video-sharing Web sites.
It was not immediately clear if the country's other seven or so providers were following suit, the Associated Press reported.
Iraq violence casts pall on key US Congress report
By AFP
Washington : US lawmakers Tuesday grilled the top US general in Iraq amid fierce fighting on the ground as Shiite radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr threatened to end a truce which had helped staunch the bloodshed.
Sadr's threat hung over the key hearing in the US Congress, as General David Petraeus urged troop withdrawals to be frozen for at least 45 days after July to allow military commanders to review security.
Iranian envoy to attend BOAO Forum for Asia
By IRNA
Beijing : Iran's Deputy Economy Minister, Mohsen Talaie is to arrive in China on Thursday to attend BOAO Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2008, it was announced on Wednesday.
An informed source at Iranian embassy in Beijing told IRNA that Chinese President Hu Jintao will inaugurate the forum to be held on April 11-13 under the theme of "Green Asia".
Some 2,000 senior officials, experts and representatives from several world countries will be attending the three-day forum.
Latest Israeli-Palestinian round of talks centers on basic issues — official
By KUNA
Gaza : A senior Palestinian official said on Wednesday that talks that were held between the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams on Tuesday addressed a host of issues namely those related to the final status.
Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, told Voice of Palestine Radio that the discussions that involved him, along with the head of the Palestinian team, Ahmad Qurei, and the Israeli team, led by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, centered on final-status issues.
The three-hour meeting, held in Jerusalem, was attended by experts from the two sides, he added.
National Water Company Board holds First Meeting
By SPA
Riyadh : The Board of Directors of the National Water Company held here today its First meeting under the chairmanship of Minister of Water and Electricity Eng. Abdullah Al-Hussein.
Al-Hussein briefed the Board of Directors on offers pertaining to the privatization of the Water and Sewage sector as well as on the Company's organizational skeleton and statutes, its financial authorities, policies of human resources and the proposed motto of the Company.
Police: 10,000 workers protest in Bangladesh
By SPA
Dhaka, Bangladesh : An official says about 10,000 textile workers have clashed with police near Bangladesh's Capital during protests demanding better wages to meet higher food prices, the Associated Press reported.
Dozens of people including at least 20 police officials have been injured in violence Saturday, police station Official Angur Akhter said by telephone.
The protesters are demanding better wages so that they can face higher food prices, she said.
Malaysian PM discusses hand-over, Bernama
By IRNA
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has signaled he would support a transition of power to his deputy, Bernama news agency said on Saturday.
Abdullah oversaw the ruling party's worst election results in 50 years.
The move comes after the government suffered its worst ever showing in last month's general election.
Since then Abdullah has been under intense pressure from within his own party to step aside.
While his UMNO party won the election, the surge in opposition support left him vulnerable.
Yemeni University announces AIDS remedy
By NNN-SABA
Sana'a : Chairman of the Iman University Abdul Majeed al-Zindani has announced his university readiness to treat HIV-affected people.
The announcement was made at a press conference on the sidelines of the first international health conference that coincided with the sixth medical forum held recently in Yemen.
Al-Zindani said that after twenty years of search he and a medical team could produce a medication that will help cure the HIV- affected people.
He added the medication was produced under the supervision of the University of Abdul Aziz Bin Saud.
Death toll of Iranian mosque blast rises to 11
By Xinhua
Tehran : The death toll of a blast which occurred in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz on Saturday night has risen to 11, the official IRNA news agency reported Sunday.
The bomb blast at the Shohada Hosseiniyeh mosque when a prominent local cleric was delivering a speech, and right now more than 191 people were injured, said the report.
Iranian media previously said 8 people were killed and more than 66 were wounded, but adding the number of the casualties could increase because some wounded were in critical condition.
Iraq dismisses 1,300 security members after clashes in the south
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The Iraqi government decided to dismiss more than 1,300 soldiers and policemen because they refused to fight Shiite militiamen during recent clashes in southern Iraqi cities, a security source said on Sunday.
Up to 921 soldiers and policemen, including 37 senior officers, have been fired from their jobs in the Iraqi police and army units in the southern city of Basra, where the U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces fought Mahdi Army militia, loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, Interior Ministry spokesman Major Gen. Abdul Kareem Khalaf said.
Explosion targets Israeli foot forces Gaza — statement
By KUNA,
Gaza : Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad organization, claimed responsibility Monday for detonating anti-personnel explosives targeting Israeli foot forces in al-Buraij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip.
"The explosion occurred at dawn and was followed by intensive fire against the Israeli troops," the brigades said in a statement, noting that the operatives made direct hits causing casualties among the Israeli soldiers.
Called Bengalis, Malaysian Sikhs walk out of function
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : A group of Malaysian Sikhs walked out from a function when Perak state's chief executive referred to them as Bengalis.
Perak's Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin made the gaffe Sunday when he wished the Tamil community "Puthandu Vazth-uka" or Happy New Year followed by "Happy Vasakhi to the Bengali community".
"For generations, Sikhs have bit their lips when mistakenly referred to as Bengalis. Many usually excuse the gaffe by ordinary folk who do not know any better," media reports from the Perak capital Ipoh said.
Iraq’s neighbors discuss need to maintain security
By SPA,
Damascus : Iraq's neighboring countries discussed on Monday the current security situation in Iraq and the requirements to maintain stability in the country during the closing of their second annual meeting in Syria.
Representatives of the United Nations Security Council and representatives of the Organization of Islamic Conference also participated in the meeting of Iraq's neighboring countries, the German news agency "DPA" reported.
Pakistan, Turkish air forces to conduct joint exercise: official
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Air forces of Pakistan and Turkey will conduct joint exercises this month, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said on Monday.
"The Exercise would be conducted in Pakistan during the month of April," a PAF statement said." "To benefit from the expertise and professional experiences of each other, PAF and the Turkish Air Force (TuAF) are conducting a Joint Exercise 'Indus Viper-2008' in Pakistan," it said.
The statement said that a contingent of TuAF fighter aircraft and personnel will undertake joint planning and execution of various combat missions in the exercises.
Pakistan, Afghan forces exchange fire over wheat flour smuggling
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani and Afghan border security forces exchanged fire on Monday after the Pakistani forces tried to stop 'smuggling of flour' to the neighboring country, officials said.
Officials at the Pakistani border city of Chaman in southwestern Balochistan said that both sides started firing at 7:15 a.m. which continued till 11 a.m.
There was no report of any casualty.
The firing was stopped after senior officials of the two countries held talks, officials said.
Pakistani parliament seeks UN inquiry into Bhutto’s assassination
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Parliament on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution, seeking inquiry into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto who was killed in firing and suicide attack on December 27th.
Benazir was assassinated in the city of Rawalpindi shortly after she addressed a big election rally.
The resolution was moved by the Law Minister Farook H Naek, which was passed unanimously by the lower house of the parliament.
Bengali new year celebrated in Bangladesh amid tight security
By NNN-Xinhua
Dhaka : The Bengali New Year is celebrated Monday across Bangladesh, especially in capital Dhaka, with a festive atmosphere.
Tens of thousands of people in masks and traditional dress, mostly students of the Dhaka University, held a colorful parade through the university, ushering in good spirits for the new year and vowing to defeat any ill-will.
At the forefront of the parade were precisionists carrying symbolic figures of the owl, tortoise, tiger and elephant.
Death toll rises to 40 in Iraq’s Diyala car bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll from a car bomb explosion in the city of Baquba, the capital of Diyala province on Tuesday, rose to 40 with some 70 others injured, a provincial police source said.
"The latest reports said that up to 40 people were killed and some 70 others injured by the Baquba car bombing," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Earlier, the source put the toll at 12 killed and more than 40 others wounded.
Iraqi shot by British soldier to get 2 million pounds payout
By NNN-KUNA,
London : A young Iraqi man accidentally shot by a British soldier will receive 2 million pounds, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
The commercial TV station "Channel 4 News" reported, late on Monday, that the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was set to receive the payout after suffering severe spinal injuries which left him paralysed.
The sum is far higher than anything paid to any British troops injured in Iraq and is likely to reopen the controversy over the compensation levels for wounded service personnel, commentators said.
Pakistan’s government plans to export 3 million tons of surplus rice
By SPA,
Islamabad : The government is planning to export 3 million tons of surplus rice during the current financial year, earning $1.8 billion, an official said.
Total exportable surplus from 2007-08 rice crop is estimated at 3 million tons, Qadir Bux Baloch, Agriculture Development Commissioner, said.
He added that out of 3 million tons exportable rice 1 million tons Basmati and 2 million tons Irri would earn foreign exchange of $1 billion and from basmati while US $ 0.8 billion from other rice.
No American official has access to Pakistan’s nuclear program: FM
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Foreign Minister told the Parliament on Friday that no American official has been placed to have access to the country's National Command Authority (NCA).
Local media has reported that the US State Department has sought the accreditation of an official to be posted at the American embassy here with the NCA, the body that controls Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
"Pakistan will not permit this," Qureshi told the National Assembly, lower house of the parliament.
Pakistani Ambassador: Olympic torch relay underscores universality ogf games
By NNN-APP,
Beijing : Pakistani Ambassador Salman Bashir has said that the lighting of the Olympic flame and its relay across continents, underscores the universality of the games.
In a congratulatory message to the English language China Daily on its special supplement on Olympic Torch relay, the Ambassador underscores the universality of the games, which, he said will unite all peoples under the apt motto of “One World One Dream”.
Carter, exiled Hamas leader meet in Damascus on peace efforts
By Xinhua,
Damascus : Visiting former U.S. President Jimmy Carter met with exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus on Friday and discussed the peace efforts in the region.
The talks between Carter and Meshaal focused on three basic topics, namely the fate of Israeli captive Gilad Shalit, the situation in Gaza and the lift of the siege there, deputy chief ofthe exiled Hamas politburo Moussa Abu Marzouk told reporters.
GCC, US joint military exercise to held April 20
By NNN-KUNA,
Abu Dhabi : The (Hasm Al-Oqban 2008) joint GCC-US military exercise will be held Sunday with the participation of the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the USA while Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan will act as observers.
According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the exercise would last for two weeks and is going to include workshops and meetings that would boost military cooperation between the US and the GCC states.
Britain extends conditional support to Pakistan’s dialogue plan with militants
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Britain supports Pakistan's reconciliation process with the militants "but the talks should beheld with those who wanted to surrender or lay arms", British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said.
Miliband arrived in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) on a two-day visit for talks with the new government.
The new provincial government has formed a committee of senior officials to hold dialogue with the militants in the Swat valley and tribal regions.